2004 - Holden V Platform GTO Revival LS1

The Pontiac GTO was relaunched in the United States in 2004,
based on the Holden Monaro's V platform. The Monaro is a 2 door
coupe variant of the Australian developed VT/VX Holden Commodore.
The Commodore was in turn developed by enlarging the European
designed 1994 Opel Omega B, which was marketed in its original
form in the U.S. from 1997 to 2001 as the Cadillac Catera. The
revival was prompted by former GM chairman Bob Lutz, who drove
a Holden Monaro while on a business trip in Australia.

The GTO was produced by GM's Holden subsidiary in the suburb
of Elizabeth, South Australia. It was equipped with the Corvette's
LS1 ('04) and LS2 ('05-'06) V8 engine with a choice of a 6-speed
manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic. The same model was
sold in the United Kingdom as the Vauxhall Monaro and in the
Middle East as a Chevrolet Lumina SS. GM North America made
a deal with Holden to produce a maximum of 18,000 vehicles per
year starting in late 2003 and going through to the end of the
2006 model year. The 18,000 units was the production limit for
the model at the Australian assembly plant.

GM had high expectations to sell 18,000 units, but the Monaro-based
GTO received a lukewarm reception in the U.S. In a perplexing
contrast to its more modern, sportier design, the styling was
frequently derided by critics as being too "conservative"
and "anonymous" to befit either the GTO heritage or
the current car's performance. In addition, the GTO faithful
felt further insulted by GM's failure to present a U.S.-built
car that incorporated any design lineage from the muscular icons
of the 1960s and 1970s. Given the newly revived muscle car climate,
it was also overshadowed by the Chrysler 300, the Dodge Charger,
Dodge Magnum and the new Ford Mustang, which all featured more
traditional "muscle" aesthetics. Sales were also limited
because of dealer tactics, such as initially charging large
markups and denying requests for test drives of the vehicle.
By the end of the year, the 2004 vehicles were selling with
significant discounts. Sales were 13,569 of 15,728 cars for
2004.

To help squelch comments about the car's appearance, the hood
scoops that originally were slated for production in 2004, were
pushed into production as part of an over-the-counter Sport
Appearance Package. The 2004 Sport Appearance Package also included
a taller and more angular rear spoiler as well as deeper inset
grilles.

Closing out the 2004 model year was the W40 package. Rumored
to be a stillborn 40th anniversary package, it gave the buyer
an exclusive paint color called Pulse Red, red GTO embroidery
on the seats, and a grey colored gauge cluster. The last 800
2004 GTOs were built with the W40 package.

2005 - 4th Generation: The Holden V Platform
GTO LS2

The 2005 model year continued with the addition of standard
hood scoops, split rear exhaust, and late in the year, optional
18 inch (45.7 cm) wheels. The major change for 2005 was the
replacement of the LS1 engine with the LS2 engine. This 5,967
cc (364.1 cu in) motor increased power and torque in the GTO
to 400 hp (298 kW) with 400 ft·lbf (542 N·m) torque.
With this improved powerplant, Pontiac claimed the car capable
of 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.6 seconds and a 13.0 second quarter
mile at 108 mph (174 km/h) (automatic transmission). Car and
Driver magazine tested the car at 4.8 seconds 0-60 mph and 13.3
seconds at 107 mph (172 km/h) for the quarter mile, so the claims
seem justified. Dashboard gauge graphics were also revised.
The optional dealer installed Sport Appearance Package became
available and differed visually by having a different lower
rear fascia that sported quad chrome exhaust tips, louder aggressive
sounding mufflers, a modified spoiler, a modified front lower
fascia extension, recessed SAP Grilles, and modified rocker
panels. This package was available from GM as an accessory in
red, silver, black, or primer for other color cars. Nonetheless,
production was scaled back to 11,069, primarily because of a
shortened model year. Barbados Blue and Cosmos Purple were dropped
this year, but Cyclone Grey and Midnight Blue Metallic were
added. On a side note, customers had the option to order their
GTO without hood scoops, though only 24 were produced this way.

2006 - 4th Generation: The Holden V Platform
GTO LS2

For 2006, two additional colors were added to the line up,
Spice Red Metallic and Brazen Orange Metallic, while Midnight
Blue Metallic and Yellow Jacket were dropped. Changes for 2006
included revised blacked-out tail lamps, illuminated steering
wheel radio controls and an interior power door lock switch.
The climate control button for the A/C also had the word "Defrost"
added to it for the 2006 model year.

On February 21, 2006, General Motors reportedly told dealers
that it would halt imports of the GTO in September, making 2006
the last model year for the current GTO generation. This should
have come as no surprise since this generation GTO was only
intended to be produced for those 3 years from the beginning
of the program.

The final production numbers of the 2006 Pontiac GTO are 13,948
cars, an increase from 11,069 from the previous model year.

The last Pontiac GTO, which was also the very last Monaro-based
coupe produced, came off the assembly line in Australia on June
14, 2006. Total production for all three years was 40,808 vehicles.

2004-2006 Motorsports V Platform GTO

A GTO was driven by stunt and former rally driver Rhys Millen
between 2004-2006 in Formula D and D1 Grand Prix.

Several racing GTOs, known as GTO.R, were used in the Rolex
Sports Car Series and built by Pratt & Miller. The Racer's
Group won the driver's, team's, and constructor's championship
in 2006. These cars, the # 65 driven by Andy Lally, Marc Bunting,
and R.J. Valentine, and the # 64, driven by Kelly Collins and
Paul Edwards, were GTO-bodied tube-frame racecars powered by GM
LS2-based racing motors and sequential five-speed transaxles.